Dozens of police cars, sirens blaring, pulled into the parking lot at the Meijer supermarket on Alexis Road Friday morning.
But they weren’t there to catch a shoplifter or any other criminal. Behind their escort were buses loaded with smiling children.
As soon as the buses were parked, it was a mad dash into the supermarket as 80 children — and officers — grabbed carts and hit the toy section.
With a $125 gift card in hand, Selina Montero-Urista, 4, and Toledo patrolman Leon Cavanaugh had a shopping cart full of Barbie dolls, and there was no slowing down.
“Let’s go over there next,” Selina said, pointing to a display of baby dolls.
Mr. Cavanaugh was just one of the officers participating in the 12 Kids of Christmas, an annual event put on by the charity Feet on the Street in coordination with the Toledo Police Department.
“I’ve been doing this since the start,” Mr. Cavanaugh said. “It gives the opportunity to give back to kids and give them some kind of joy for Christmas.”
Toledo Sgt. Joseph Okos co-founded the charity Feet on the Street, which has hosted the holiday event for 17 years. What started out as a shopping experience with 12 kids has now increased to a day full of activities for more than 80.